I had this for 5 years. Neck, back pain, Lump in throat, sometimes felt like it was closing, causing me to panic. But I was always able to calm down or I'd eat something and it would eventually go away after about 30 min. Sometimes I would choke on water, food, anything. Like my body forgot how to swallow. I'd try to swallow and it wouldn't go down. While sleeping I would jump up in a panic thinking something was in my throat, i was still asleep while grabbing my tongue trying to pull it out, scratching down my throat trying to reach whatever I thought was there, usually drempt up some odd thing like a Lego piece, or an extension cord was in my throat. This really debilitated my life. Was told by numerous dotors it was anxiety and acid reflux. And that throat cancer doesn't have noticable symptoms, especially not ones that come and go. I had all kinds of tests done. I wish I wouldn't have done the Barium Swollow because of the invasive xrays and there was nothing found wrong but at the last moment he had me drink water while watching a live action xray of my chest and my acid exploded like a volcano up my esophagus. The doc asked if I could feel that but I felt nothing. No acid feeling, no coughing, no heart burn. It was SILENT GERD. I didn't even notice it was happening. I don't have acid reflux symptoms. No caughing, heartburn, ect, I'm young, healthy and eat well. Now I know what's causing all the symptoms. The acid was reaching my airway while sleeping causing the nightmare choking feeling. My throat was getting damaged every night causing cricopharyngeal spasms, the lump in throat, and Globus Pharynges, difficulty swallowing throughout the day. These are all made worse when you stress. Its a vicious cycle that if uncorrected will only prolong. If you have been suffering with the same symptoms I've had, you dont need to worry anymore. But I understand if you won't believe it until you see results yourself. You don't need surgery, just maybe some medicine. I hate meds, anxiety meds cause me anxiety, lol, but I finally did take some because I couldn't get past the mental acceptance that this was mostly psychological and that I  really just needed to change my diet. I had let it get so bad I couldnt function, I didn't want to go to work, I was depressed, crying for no apparent reason, so tired I struggled to lift myself out of bed. My vitamin D level was a bit low so I took vitamins for a long time but it was too late to be a simple fix. I have been good now for over a year. But it took time to heal and see results. Months. And it still occasionally comes back a little when I eat poorly or late. I no longer drink water or anything past 6pm, only sips if needed. Water makes it all so much worse. I eat really healthy now and never within a few hours of bed time. I'll take a tums if I ate late and ill sleep proped up on a wedge pillow sometimes. I don't take acid reflux meds because I think those cause more problems in the long run, blocking your acid from producing is not fixing the problem. Long story short, there is hope, you will get through this, and if you need to take some anxiety meds for a year or so just to get past this and heal, its okay. Don't be so hard on yourself. I had let it get so bad, diet and excercise just wasn't enough to get me out of the hole I had dug myself in. Beleive me I tried. I was even meditating. I believe some can do it, retrain their mind to realize it's stress and diet but I couldn't. If you're at the point that it's effecting you everyday then you may have let it go too far as well. I'm so glad I got through it. If I would have relized it was silent gerd sooner I could have corrected it with diet and exercise alone. Don't let it get as bad as I did. 

As discussed previously, I have Acid Reflux. Like you and like many of us in here, we'll have had it most of our life.

For instance, thinking back, I often remember as a young child " throwing up and swallowing it" which I now, know is Acid reflux, It would involve feeling vomit go up to my throat and swallowing it again.

As for my Acid reflux now, many times I do not know I am suffering with it. My snoring will start waking me up, or in the worst cases, I can start choking on it.

Now, this one is hard for me, as I have IBS which can often send me sleepy, after I have eaten, but you should not eat for three hours, before you plan on going to sleep, so that it settles the stomach. Do not drink water or anything like that, as it pushes the Acid higher up the stomach. Look up what is safe to drink at night and it also helps how you lie down.

They say lying on your left hand side works, but this does not work for me. I have to practically sleep sitting up, using a lot of props.

I am off to the hospital Tuesday for tests for cancer they put me on a 2 week pathway same symptons , difficulty swallowing , feeling tired , sore throat , keep coughing to clear my throat as feel something stuck around my collarbone area .  Im 56 never smoked but have drunk a lot of wine over the last 10 years . Had my bloods done and they want to talk to me about the results the day after the ENT app .

Can i ask as im terrified what is the prognosis ?

pls give an update on your situation. I want to know if you are healthy and well. Im hoping for the best!

Hi just read this .I have exactly the same symptoms and like you are terrified. I think it is something more serious  .I've got some tests booked In so will see what happens  .I'm not confident  it's going to be something not serious .I've had extreme heart burn and acid reflux  all day today .Taken gaviston  but it's not helped .Also like you constant clearing of my throat and swollen  glands in my neck .Terrified to say the least.

Hi, I was just wondering if you had any results from the tests?

I am suffering with the exact same symptoms  as mentioned including swollen glands in my neck.

Hello, I have also just been referred via the 2 week pathway. I am a 34 year old female. 
 

I have had problems with feeling like smth is in my throat or I'm having an allergic reaction for years! 
I called my doctor as sometimes it feels like I have difficulty swallowing some foods like meat, bread etc it feels like my throat is too narrow. And also feels like something is just 'there'.

problem is I have extreme health anxiety, I also know for a fact I can cause that lump in throat feeling with anxiety. But even that aside it really feels like smth is in my throat. 
 

im just terrified, I have two young children and I just cannot function, every time I feel happy I remember the referral and think I may die. When I think of our holiday I think I may not be able to enjoy it as I may have just had a diagnosis. We are planning a Florida trip for 2023 and I keep thinking I will be dead before then. I also have IBD and it's causing me to flare with the stress. I cannot cope with waiting for them to tell me when my appointment is. Apparently they are 'triaging' referrals so it's not even guaranteed to be within two weeks.
 

I just don't know how to cope. My partner is so supportive but I just close in on myself. 

Hi, I dont know if you read my post, but I have Acid Reflux, IBD and Anxiety.

1. For some unknown reason, IBD causes anxiety. Whilst it is not a cure, I find helpful when stressing out, is to put headphones in your ears and play music, it zaps out the negative thoughts.

2. The Acid Reflux is causing the lump in you throat. I have an 8 cm Hiatus Hernia, which was caused by Acid Reflux. I can feel everything I swallow going down my throat. I can feel it get stuck and more. No matter if you need it or not, ALWAYS take gAVISCON at night before bed and first thing in the morning, take an Acid Reflux pill, I am on Lansoprazole. This has reduced my acid reflux and I have not had food stucK in my throat, for some time. Take it reguarly, and do not stop taking it.

3. One of the reasons fo Acid Reflux is being over weight. If you are over weight ( like I am) I would suggest finding an activity you like, to help support the weight loss. Whether it's swimming, cycling, or something you could do with your partner or children. Make it a fun activity, rather than a chore.

4. Your ibd, i find a pill called Mintec Capsules, or mint capsules very helpful, You can either get these on prescription or from Asda for about £3. All they are, is a very strong mint pill that will reduce your wind and make your wind sell minty fresh. Another good suggestion my doctor recomended was mint tea. I have to have mine a little strong, to have an effect, but you may be different.

5. Do not worry about holiday, although I suspect Covid 19 may unknowingly be playing on your stress too. When over there, before eating, make sure you lubricate your throat with a lot of water, before eating. Make sure you dont sleep for atleast 4 hours after eating.

6. The problem I find with IBD and and Acid reflux, is not long after I have eaten, IBD makes me tired,, and then the acid reflux brings it back up, when sleeping. This is why it' a good idea to take Gaviscon at night. But I would also recommend avoiding drinks like caffiene, energy drinks, cola and Citrus juices, as these will effect your IBD and make you sleepy.

I hope this info helps.

Hi Yasi86,

I was just wondering how you are getting on? I have also just been referred on the two-week pathway because I have had a sore throat for 6 weeks. My story is very similar to yours - I am 35 and female, I have two young children and health anxiety. I am struggling to cope with all of this too. I hope you are okay x